Your School May Qualify for the Emergency Connectivity Fund

The FCC’s Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) is a $7.17 billion government program designed to help schools and libraries provide the tools and services needed for remote learning during the COVID-19 emergency period.

For eligible schools and libraries, the ECF program will cover reasonable costs of:

  1. Internet connectivity for students, school staff and library patrons at locations other than schools or libraries
  2. Equipment such as Wi-Fi hotspots, modems and routers
  3. Laptop and tablet computers

Comcast is proud to support eligible applicants who apply for ECF. If your PTA is interested in working with Comcast to obtain high-speed internet service on behalf of students, school staff and library patrons using ECF, you can do so through Comcast’s Internet Essentials Partnership Program (IEPP). The IEPP is a streamlined process for eligible applicants to seek ECF funds and quickly connect families in need to broadband access at home.

Who is Eligible to Receive Funding through ECF?

Funding will be limited to nonprofit schools, libraries, schools and libraries that are eligible for support under the FCC’s E-Rate program, as well as Tribal libraries eligible for support under the Library Services and Technology Act. Funding will be prioritized for the highest needs schools based on the percentage of students eligible for the National School Lunch Program, with an additional factor based on rurality.

How Can Schools and Libraries Apply for Funding?

The initial application filing window opened June 29, 2021 and will close August 13, 2021. During this time, eligible applicants can submit funding requests to the FCC to cover the cost of eligible services, equipment and devices that will be used between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022. Applicants must specify if they will submit invoices or if their service provider has agreed to submit invoices on their behalf.

The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) is the administrator of the ECF program and will review applications and issue funding commitment decision letters (FCDL) for approved organizations. After receiving an FCDL, approved organizations may submit reimbursement requests to USAC.

A second filing window may be opened for prospective or retrospective purchases if not all funds are used within the first filing window. Interested schools and libraries can find more information and apply at EmergencyConnectivityFund.org.

What is the Internet Essentials Partnership Program?

Comcast is using its Internet Essentials Partnership Program (IEPP) to facilitate school participation in the ECF program. IEPP provides the opportunity for school districts and other organizations to enter into an agreement with Comcast to fund and quickly connect students and families to broadband access at home through Internet Essentials from Comcast. For more information on working with Comcast to utilize the ECF program, please complete an online intake form at InternetEssentials.com/Sponsor to kick off the process to become an Internet Essentials Partnership Program partner.

IEPP ECF Partners may select between one of two speed-tier options of service.

Internet Essentials:

  • 50/5 Mbps
  • $9.95/month + tax
  • Equipment rental fees included
  • CIPA compliant through xFi Advanced Security and Parental Controls

Internet Essentials Plus:

  • 100/5 Mbps
  • $29.95/month + tax
  • Equipment rental fees included
  • CIPA compliant through xFi Advanced Security and Parental Controls

Work with Comcast

Comcast’s participation in ECF was designed and is supported by E-Rate experts. We will work with each applicant to determine the best route for reimbursement and to facilitate participation in ECF.

Our team provides dedicated support for applicants seeking to obtain ECF. Our trained agents are available to assist you Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST. You can leverage our enrollment center to receive assistance with applications seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to Midnight EST. Comcast’s agents can assist applicants in more than 240 languages and for hearing-impaired households, American Sign Language-trained agents are available through video chat.

If you have additional questions or would like more information about working with Comcast, please email IEPP_Support@Comcast.com.

Comcast’s Commitment to Digital Equity

Over the next 10 years, Comcast is committing $1 billion to reach 50 million low-income Americans with the tools and resources they need to succeed in a digital world. We’ll do this by connecting people to the Internet at home, equipping safe spaces with free Wi-Fi, and working with thousands of nonprofit community organizations, city leaders, and business partners to create opportunities.

Internet Essentials from Comcast

Internet Essentials is Comcast’s signature digital equity initiative and the nation’s largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program. In 10 years, it has helped connect 10 million low-income Americans to broadband Internet at home, most for the very first time. The program addresses the three major barriers to broadband adoption—digital literacy training and relevance, equipment, and cost—and relies on a network of tens of thousands of community partners to help families cross the digital divide.

To learn more, visit InternetEssentials.com/Sponsor

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